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Mark Appel told Joon Lee of Bleacher Report that he is taking an "indefinite break" from baseball.

The former No. 1 overall pick was outrighted off the Phillies' 40-man roster in late November after posting a 5.27 ERA, 1.76 WHIP, and 60/53 K/BB ratio in 82 innings last season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Appel is still relatively young and could try to return to the sport at some point, but for now he's looking for internships in private equity and business while applying to some top-flight business schools like Rice, the University of Texas, Texas A&M, Stanford, Harvard, Penn, Northwestern, and the University of Chicago. "I'm 26, I have a Stanford degree, I have many interests beyond baseball, which I still love, but I have a lot of things I care about," Appel said. "I enjoy challenging my mind. My last four years in baseball have challenged my mind." The right-hander never appeared in a game at the major league level. Feb 1 - 10:02 AM

It says something about how far Appel has fallen that he passed through waivers after being designated for assignment last week. The 26-year-old former No. 1 overall pick struggled with a 5.27 ERA and 60/53 K/BB ratio over 82 innings in Triple-A this past season. He also missed time with shoulder issues. It will be interesting to see if the Phillies try him next as a reliever. Mon, Nov 27, 2017 02:24:00 PM

Phillies designated RHP Mark Appel for assignment.

Yes, the same Mark Appel who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 Draft ahead of Kris Bryant. It's just never come together in pro ball for the 26-year-old, as Appel held a 5.27 ERA and 60/53 K/BB ratio over 82 Triple-A innings in 2017. Some team will give him a shot, but he can no longer be considered a prospect. Mon, Nov 20, 2017 06:22:00 PM

Mark Appel has been placed on the disabled list at Triple-A Lehigh Valley with a right shoulder strain.

The former No. 1 overall pick holds a disappointing 5.27 ERA, 1.76 WHIP, and 60/53 K/BB ratio in 82 innings (17 starts) this season at the Triple-A level. It could be a while before he returns to the mound for Lehigh Valley. Thu, Jul 13, 2017 02:26:00 PM

Jerad Eickhoff will open the season on the disabled list with a strained lat and miss 6-8 weeks.

Eickhoff won't be able to throw for 7-10 days, and he'll have to restart his throwing regimen. It's a blow to the Phillies' rotation, as he was expected to open the season as the third starter pitching behind newly-acquired Jake Arrieta and Aaron Nola. That spot now will likely belong to Vincent Velasquez, and it opens up a spot for either Ben Lively, Nick Pivetta or Mark Lieter Jr to begin the season in the rotation.